John Martinson, Chairman
john@martinsonventures.com
(Office) 215-493-1885
(Mobile) 609-731-6106
John Martinson has been a venture capitalist and software industry leader for 45 years. In 1986, John founded Edison Partners, which raised 11 growth equity limited partnerships. John is also an active individual investor and engaged philanthropist.
Edison Partners invested over $3 billion in 275 East Coast companies and realized 210 exits. John participated in 250 equity financings. He specializes in software/services for healthcare, education, financial, marketing and business applications. John has also served on the Board of Directors for 80 companies.
Martinson Ventures is primary investor in 35 emerging companies. John has invested in 95 private companies and 40 private equity partnerships. John is a member of the Golden Seeds, Jumpstart, and Delaware Crossing angel investor groups.
John was recognized as the 47th largest US donor in 2022. Martinson Family Foundation makes grants to educational and charitable programs. Funded and advised 50 multiple-year projects at 20 universities to improve K-12 instruction in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. These grants encompass curriculum development, new teaching methods, and continuing education for classroom teachers.
Martinson DAF has sponsored 10 honors colleges including Purdue, US Air Force Academy, Georgia Tech, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Pittsburgh, Northeastern, Drexel, NJIT, Rowan and Montclair State. John sponsors technology in college performing arts and local theaters.
John is a past Chairman and eight-year Director of the National Venture Capital Association. He has also served as the Chairman of PACT, a leading venture and technology trade group in the Philadelphia area. New Jersey Technology Council was co-founded by John, who served as Chairman. John headed the Mid-Atlantic Venture Fair and co-founded the New Jersey Venture Fair. John was a director of five trade associations and ten non-profit organizations, and a trustee of six universities.
John earned a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He flew 500 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. John earned an M.S. in Astronautics from Purdue University and an M.B.A. Beta Gamma Sigma from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He has received Honorary Doctorates from Rider, Rowan, Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Thomas Edison Universities. John was selected as the 18th Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Academy and serves on Foundation BOD. John received the USAFA Services Award. He has received the Pinnacle Award for supporting engineering education programs at Purdue University. Inducted into SIU’s Hall of Fame.
John was selected for the NJBIZ and New Jersey Technology Council Hall of Fames. He received an NVCA Service Award for contributions to the venture capital industry on a national level. The Greater Philadelphia Venture Group presented John the Blair Thompson award to recognize his lifetime venture capital achievements. The New Jersey Institute of Technology honored John with its first Entrepreneur award. He served as trustee of the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame, and the New Jersey Technology Council named its annual Entrepreneur Supporter Award after John. Additionally, he has been honored by Ernst & Young for N.J. Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement, and PACT recognized John with its Legend Award.
John’s hobbies include competitive golf, fitness training, worldwide travel and performing arts patron.
Ross Martinson, President
ross@martinsonventures.com
215-968-3732
I am working for the same goal that Thomas Edison said of himself 100 years ago: “My principal business is giving commercial value to the brilliant, but sometimes misdirected, ideas of others.”
Ross Martinson is a director of six Martinson Ventures companies, providing software and information services. He evaluates investment opportunities and assists in due diligence. Ross coordinates closings and leads exits for Martinson Ventures.
Ross previously served 15 other Edison Partners companies as a director, including lead director and chairman roles. Ross focuses on technology-enabled services for business applications and functions and has participated in many successful company sales.
Previously, Ross was Vice President with the securities firm of Kidder, Peabody & Co. His positions included Director of Financial Consulting and Director of Corporate Financial Management Information. Earlier, Ross was Controller of two high-growth start-up businesses, American Express Leasing and ABB Financial Services. He was Senior Auditor as a CPA with Arthur Andersen.
He served as an Advisory Board Member of the Private Equity CFO Association and the New Jersey Technology Council CFO Board.
BA, Economics, Yale University, with honors
MS/ MBA, New York University
CPA
Beth Myatovich, Office Manager
Beth@MartinsonVentures.com
215-968-2714
Beth Myatovich’s responsibilities include scheduling meetings and calls. Beth received a B.A. from Rider University.